Richard Mason Motorsport - Element of Surprise Gone for Mason

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Element of Surprise Gone for Mason

By Chris Grant

10th May, 2007

Double New Zealand Rally Champion Richard Mason reckons he won't be able to sneak up on his more vaunted foreign opposition in this week's Hella International Rally of Whangarei - May 11-13.

Mason mowed down overnight leader Cody Crocker (Australia) on the final day to take the overall honours in last year's FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship [APRC] round in Rotorua.

He believes the Australian, who was the runaway winner of last year's Asia Pacific series, will have him on his radar in this weekend's event that doubles as the second round of both the FIA Asia Pacific and Vantage Aluminium Joinery New Zealand Rally Championships.

The Masterton driver made a flying start to the season with victory in the first round of the national championship in Otago last month and says he is excited by the additional challenge from the internationals this weekend.

"Without in anyway demeaning our own national championship drivers, this is a fantastic challenge for us to take on the best in the Asia Pacific Championship," Richard said.

"We are really looking forward to that opportunity, especially with someone of Cody Crocker's undoubted class. For us the more the competition the better."

With the APRC cars running first on the road, Mason was able to slip into the lead in last year's event before Crocker had the chance to react, and then held him off over the closing stages.

"That was a fantastic duel with Cody, but I am sure he won't be caught out again. He didn't see us coming last year, but his eyes will be wide open this time."

The FIA rules governing the event require all 11 APRC cars to start ahead of the defending champion, Richard and Co-Driver Sara Randall will start in position 12, so the weather could play a real factor in the final outcome.

"If it's dry then we will have the advantage over Cody and the other APRC drivers because they will be sweeping the roads for us. But if it's wet then they will have the advantage because it may cut up by the time we run."

The Richard Mason Motorsport Team have built a new Subaru Impreza for this year and Richard feels they are still getting to grips with the changes.

"This year's BNT Subaru is a different shape and a new engine package. It handles differently and I have to drive differently to get the best out of it. Added with that we are racing on a new Silverstone tyre - the S525i - so we are learning that as well."

"We hope to be stronger this weekend than in Otago and by the time of Rally New Zealand [at the end of August], we expect to have EVOETA at its best."
------------------------------------------------

Following a ceremonial start at Whangarei's Quayside Town Basin from 6pm on Friday evening, the cars head south from 8am on Saturday morning for stages on roads near Paparoa, plus a double run around the new NAC Insurance Whangarei Super Special (Pohe Island). Returning for an overnight park, the cars can be seen at the Quayside Town Basin from 4pm, where the teams prepare them for the following day. Sunday starts at 7am and includes another eight stages to the south of Whangarei in the Maungaturoto and Waipu regions. The winner will be crowned at the Quayside Town Basin at 3pm, having covered 277km on the fabulous gravel roads that have become world renowned through their use for many years on the WRC Rally New Zealand.

For further information about the Hella International Rally of Whangarei May 11-13 2007 - www.rallywhangarei.co.nz

For Rally Results & Information - www.chrissport.co.nz

For further information about the 2007 Vantage Aluminium Joinery New Zealand Rally Championship - www.motorsport.org.nz/Rally/nzrc/index.htm

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Home Meet Richard The Team Our Rally Cars Sponsors Latest News Photos Links Contact Us	Element of Surprise Gone for Mason By Chris Grant 10th May, 2007 Double New Zealand Rally Champion Richard Mason reckons he won't be able to sneak up on his more vaunted foreign opposition in this week's Hella International Rally of Whangarei - May 11-13. Mason mowed down overnight leader Cody Crocker (Australia) on the final day to take the overall honours in last year's FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship [APRC] round in Rotorua. He believes the Australian, who was the runaway winner of last year's Asia Pacific series, will have him on his radar in this weekend's event that doubles as the second round of both the FIA Asia Pacific and Vantage Aluminium Joinery New Zealand Rally Championships. The Masterton driver made a flying start to the season with victory in the first round of the national championship in Otago last month and says he is excited by the additional challenge from the internationals this weekend. "Without in anyway demeaning our own national championship drivers, this is a fantastic challenge for us to take on the best in the Asia Pacific Championship," Richard said. "We are really looking forward to that opportunity, especially with someone of Cody Crocker's undoubted class. For us the more the competition the better." With the APRC cars running first on the road, Mason was able to slip into the lead in last year's event before Crocker had the chance to react, and then held him off over the closing stages. "That was a fantastic duel with Cody, but I am sure he won't be caught out again. He didn't see us coming last year, but his eyes will be wide open this time." The FIA rules governing the event require all 11 APRC cars to start ahead of the defending champion, Richard and Co-Driver Sara Randall will start in position 12, so the weather could play a real factor in the final outcome. "If it's dry then we will have the advantage over Cody and the other APRC drivers because they will be sweeping the roads for us. But if it's wet then they will have the advantage because it may cut up by the time we run." The Richard Mason Motorsport Team have built a new Subaru Impreza for this year and Richard feels they are still getting to grips with the changes. "This year's BNT Subaru is a different shape and a new engine package. It handles differently and I have to drive differently to get the best out of it. Added with that we are racing on a new Silverstone tyre - the S525i - so we are learning that as well." "We hope to be stronger this weekend than in Otago and by the time of Rally New Zealand [at the end of August], we expect to have EVOETA at its best." ------------------------------------------------ Following a ceremonial start at Whangarei's Quayside Town Basin from 6pm on Friday evening, the cars head south from 8am on Saturday morning for stages on roads near Paparoa, plus a double run around the new NAC Insurance Whangarei Super Special (Pohe Island). Returning for an overnight park, the cars can be seen at the Quayside Town Basin from 4pm, where the teams prepare them for the following day. Sunday starts at 7am and includes another eight stages to the south of Whangarei in the Maungaturoto and Waipu regions. The winner will be crowned at the Quayside Town Basin at 3pm, having covered 277km on the fabulous gravel roads that have become world renowned through their use for many years on the WRC Rally New Zealand. For further information about the Hella International Rally of Whangarei May 11-13 2007 - www.rallywhangarei.co.nz For Rally Results & Information - www.chrissport.co.nz For further information about the 2007 Vantage Aluminium Joinery New Zealand Rally Championship - www.motorsport.org.nz/Rally/nzrc/index.htm Next.... Photo Album

More Items 1st September, 2010: BNT MASON MOTORSPORT BACK ON FORM AT NZRC RALLY NELSON - More 22nd August, 2010: MASON SOLID SECOND AFTER DAY ONE OF NZRC RALLY NELSON - More 21st August, 2010: BNT MASON MOTORSPORT ALL SET FOR NZRC RALLY NELSON - More 1st July, 2010: MASONS DETERMINED TO BEAT NORTHLAND 'HOO-DOO' AT RALLY WHANGAREI - More 7th June, 2010: MASON 'Does it for Stace' BY WINNING DUNLOP TARGA ROTORUA - More 6th June, 2010: MASON DOMINATES FIRST DAY OF DUNLOP TARGA ROTORUA - More 5th May, 2010: MASON TO JOIN WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR WRC RALLY NEW ZEALAND PRESS CONFERENCE - More 16th April, 2010: NEW BNT SUBARU A WINNER ON DEBUT AT NZRC RALLY OTAGO - More 8th April, 2010: CHANGES APLENTY FOR BNT MASON MOTORSPORT AT NZRC RALLY OTAGO - More 10th November, 2009: BNT Mason Motorsport segment in New Weekly Motorsport Show - More 10th November, 2009: End of Season - More 14th September, 2009: Coverage of Rally Oz - More 9th September, 2009: MORE HISTORY MADE BY BNT MASON MOTORSPORT AT WRC RALLY AUSTRALIA - More 6th September, 2009: BNT MASON MOTORSPORT FIGHTING HARD AT WRC RALLY AUSTRALIA - More 5th September, 2009: BNT MASON MOTORSPORT LEAD AFTER DAY ONE OF WRC RALLY AUSTRALIA - More


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